Five mile race in memory of local Runner

The race will be in memory of Jean Gould, who passed away suddenly on September 14 and was a member of the club and mother of Ladies Captain, Kelly Courtney. Proceeds will be presented on behalf of entrants to the NI Kidney Patient’s Association, as Kelly’s husband suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease.

Jean was an inspirational lady to the Ballymena running community. She was part of the Ecos Parkrun family and joined Ballymena Runners AC through their successful ‘cosy sofa’ programme in January 2012, going from a non-runner to achieving an impressive first half marathon time in June 2013 at Larne of 2 hours 7 minutes in tough weather conditions.

Jean was 56 years old when she took up running and her health, weight and fitness improved 10 fold in the year before she died, Kelly has been told by numerous people that she was a beacon of inspiration to many other older ladies.

Kelly would like to thank the anonymous club member who donated a Memorial cup for the race. The inscription on the trophy will read: “Run with your legs to be fast. Run with your mind to be faster., Run with your heart to be unstoppable.”

The main cash sponsors for the event are Woodsides Pharmacy (Church Street) and KK Beauty Clinic (Galgorm). Other cash sponsors are BD Fitness, NIKPA and Wrightbus.

There is also a race number raffle with donations from Galgorm Resort & Spa, Tops Hair Studio, Runway Runners, BD Fitness.

Other spot prizes were provided from Get In Step Podiatry, RM Reflexology, Bannside Meats and many more.

Age Category prizes will be awarded and 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize ladies will each receive a beautiful bouquet sponsored by Leaf Designs (Galgorm).

Closing date for entries to the race is March 31 and forms can be obtained from any of the sponsors’ premises, local gyms and also Seven Towers Leisure Centre and Braid Arts Centre.

Flyers can also be printed out from ballymenarunners.org website or online entry is available on Athletics NI website.